Richters ProGrowers Info
Richters ProGrowers Info | |
Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile ) |
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Market
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Products:  (flower);  (flower); 
Market size: 40,000 hectares (world), 4,800 ha (North America)
Prospects: prices up, volume stable
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Culture |
Seed density: 10,000-18,000 seeds/gram
Exposure: full sun
Soil: light, well-drained, moist to dry
Crop duration: 1 year (M. recutita), 2-3 years (C. nobile)
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Sowing rate: 3-4 kg/ha (direct), 1 kg/ha (indirect)
Planting: german (M. recutita) is sown direct in field in spring or fall. Fall sowings germinate following spring. Roman (C. nobile) is sown direct or indirect in plugs which are later planted in field. Surface sow only (needs light to germinate). Hand harvesting flowers problematic in areas where labour cost is high; mechanical harvesting still unproven.
Field spacing: 10-50cm between rows x 10-25cm within rows, or broadcast sown.
Yield: dry flower 350-500kg/ha (M. recutita; year 1), 600-1000 kg/ha (C. nobile; years 1-3).
Pests: cnephasia moth
Diseases: aster yellows.
Buyers want: 0.4% or more volatile oil.
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Sowing rate: 1g/1000plants.
Planting: german (M. recutita) not normally sold in pots; roman (C. nobile) and its varieties are sold in pots or plugs. Seeds need light to germinate; surface sow only.
Seeds to finished plugs: 6 weeks.
Plugs to saleable plants: 4-6 weeks.
Pests: aphid, mealybug
Diseases: few problems.
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– Dried Production
– Fresh Production
– Oil Production
– Potted Plant Production
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